After successful trials last year, Nunhems will introduce the UpStage variety to the market for the 2020 spring crop. "It is a powerful variety from start to finish," says Rens Muusers, Sales Specialist at Nunhems, about UpStage*. Supplemented by Peter van Ninhuys, cultivation manager at Van Lipzig Tuinderijen: "In less light we saw that UpStage aborts less than other varieties."
Powerful, strong and good in all weather conditions. According to the breeding company, these are the characteristics of the new cucumber variety UpStage*, originating from the new UpBeat family.
UpStage is the first variety in the new UpBeat family that has been specifically developed alongside the Hi Revolution product line. The varieties from the UpBeat family are particularly suitable for the unlighted high-wire cucumber cultivation and are characterized by
• up to 20% smaller and horizontal leaves
• open plant type
• much vigor until the end of the cultivation
• good handling with changing weather conditions
Tests UpStage
Last spring, the various tests showed positive results. UpStage produced more than the standard varieties and appears to be more labor-friendly. In addition, it has a strong endurance until the end of the cultivation. "Based on the results, we already quickly decided that we would launch UpStage in the market," says Muusers.
Peter van Ninhuys grew a row as a trial in spring. He also concluded that the variety has a higher production than other varieties and that it is more labor-friendly. In addition, he claims to have had less to do with splitting heads. "So we are positively surprised by the UpStage," says Van Ninhuys.
Weather conditions
A positive feature of UpStage is the handling of changing weather conditions. “The Netherlands is characterized by dark and light days. That is difficult for a crop. But this variety appears to perform better in this regard than other varieties in the segment. It is a powerful variety from start to finish, "says Muusers.
Van Ninhuys agrees. “That is an important point of UpStage. This year we had 6 percent less light than other years. Some varieties then abort quickly, but we have found that the UpStage aborts less than other varieties."
Lighting
“We don't have lamps available, but UpStage continues to grow well. In that respect, it is certainly a powerful grower," according to Van Ninhuys. Furthermore, the cucumber grower states that the leaf surface is good for determining the climate. "I believe in that, the plant must determine the climate and not the other way around."
*NAK Horticulture Test Seed Regulation
For more information:
BASF Vegetable Seeds
www.nunhems.nl
Paul Posthoorn – The Netherlands, Belgium and France
Tel. +31 (0)6 5466 8761
paul.posthoorn@vegetableseeds.basf.com
Kees van Vliet – The Nederlands
Tel. +31 (0)6 3983 6456
kees.vanvliet@vegetableseeds.basf.com
Rens Muusers - the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, United Kingdom
+31 (0)6 1871 9921
rens.muusers@vegetableseeds.basf.com
Jan Hanemaaijer - Scandinavia
+31 (0)6 28608990
jan.hanemaaijer@vegetableseeds.basf.com
Céline de Baere - Belgium, France
+32 (0)474 94 58 41
celine.debaere@vegetableseeds.basf.com